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The Annual Igbo Conference has carved out a unique space, serving as a bridge between the community and academia. It is currently held annually at SOAS, University of London in association with the Centre of African Studies. The eighth instalment of the Igbo Conference explores the role of the arts in various spheres of life amongst the Igbo both at home and in the diaspora. This conference intends to create a space for discussion which considers the changing relationship with the arts in Igbo society.
In his collection of essays Morning Yet on Creation Day, Chinua Achebe famously described ‘art for Art’s sake’ as “just another piece of deodorised dog shit.” Achebe’s statement is underpinned by the value placed on the arts within the Igbo cultural context. The appreciation of artistic expression extended beyond pure aesthetics, valuing the social, political and spiritual function of the work.
This conference will explore ‘traditional’ ideas of the arts and its role in everyday life in Igbo communities both in past and present times, and at ‘home’ and ‘abroad’.
Speakers will reflect on the following questions:
What is the role of the artist in contemporary Igbo society, particularly in an increasingly globalised and digital era?
Who does the contemporary Igbo artist perceive their community to be?
To what extent are contemporary expressions of Igbo spirituality informed by or underpinned by the arts?
How does contemporary Igbo politics intersect with the arts in a meaningful way?
To what extent are the arts still integrated into the political, spiritual and legal spheres?
How can the changes within the arts over the last 150 years be characterised?
The variety of aspects of Igbo fusions which will be discussed in this conference include:
- Artistic expressions in Igbo ceremonies and rituals: the case of birth, marriage and death
- Historical and political dimensions of narrative: language, literature and folklore
- Science and technology and their intersection with of the arts
- Igbo spirituality, beliefs and practices
- Igbo secret societies and the material culture
- Traditional rulers and their court: Politics, Justice and Creativity
- Masks, masquerades and their socio-political relevance
- Political and spiritual expressions in Igbo music and visual arts
- Expressions of Igbo selfhood through the arts
- The role of the arts in the Igbo family, clan and community
- Igbo architecture: house and home
- The relevance of the ‘dibia’ in the Igbo community
- Indigenous feminisms and views on gender: Women as political and creative agents
- Law, justice and jurisprudence in Igbo traditions
- The Ozo and Odu titles and their regalia
- Nnamdi Azikiwe: Politician and Poet
The Igbo Conference will also screen the Documentary Film Iko Ndụ : The Palm wine Story
Palmwine is to the Igbo what rum is to the pirates. Iko Ndu tells the story of the palm wine, highlighting the economic, religious and traditional values placed on it. The distinctive features between the oil palm wine (Mmanya Nkwu) and the raffia palm wine (Mmanya Ngwo), are parts of the threads that are woven in the fabrics of this film. Only the ‘Diochi’ knows the source of the Palmwine. He has a code of silence to honor but in Iko Ndu, he has something to say.
Director: Chikezie Ifedobi Executive Producer: Oba Kosi Nwoba
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Organisers: The Igbo Conference, in association with Centre of African Studies, SOAS, University of London, UCL and City, University of London.
The conference will be held in the Christopher Ingold Building on the 12th of April and Brunei Gallery Building, SOAS, University of London, on the 13th of April, 2019.